Thursday, 6 October 2016

The annual Tirupathi
Umbrella procession in Chennai, is an event of great importance. Every year, 11
decorated temple umbrellas — two small and Nine big —
believed to symbolise Lord Venkateswara of Tirupathi. The annual Brahmotsavam of Lord Venkateswara was
scheduled on 2nd October 2016 to 11th October 2016. )

This year on 1st October 2016 the procession started from Chenna Kesava Perumal Temple at George
Town. The procession was inaugurated after a special puja around 10.31 Hrs (
after the Raghu kalam ). The Umbrella procession was followed by the vehicles
of Perumal’s 10 avatharas, 12 alwars and Komatha. This year the procession from Chennai to
Tirupathi was carried out by Vishwa Hindu Parishad volunteers. The procession
started with sentai melam of Kerala style and Nadhaswaram.

A piece of silk (Sri Vari Kapai) meant for Lord Venkateswara is
exhibited in a special glass case. It is carried in a 200-year old cane box
along with the umbrella procession and is offered to Lord Venkateswara, on
reaching the hill-top.

On reaching the Elephant Gate around 16.00 Hrs, puja to the
umbrellas was performed, followed by poor feeding. The procession then wends
its way to Tirupathi.Devotees even from far places throng the place, to catch a
glimpse of the umbrellas and to offer worship to them. Ladies break the
coconuts and arathi was shown to the umbrellas. Bhajan parties and individuals chanting the
name of the Lord all converge at this spot. The Umbrellas will be received by
officials of TTD at Thirupathi. The
umbrellas are used on the day of Garudotsavam (fifth day of Brahmotsavam)
during the grand procession of the Lord that night.

THE
ART OF MAKING THE UMBRELLAS

The 11 umbrellas,
fine pieces of art, are massive. The handle is made of teak wood and the
collapsible parts of cane. The making of these umbrellas commences with a
religious function (Anugurarpanam) on an auspicious day during the Tamil month
of Adi (July-August). They are made in different places — the wooden and
silk-lace work is done in Chennai and the cane/ bamboo work at Kanchipuram.
Brocade silk is used for the umbrella cover. These are done traditionally, each
work entrusted to a particular family, which they do as their hereditary right.
It takes nearly a month for the work to be completed before they are finally
assembled in Chennai.